Things to see and do Moldova

This nature reserve created in 1993 covers 5,736 ha. A particularly rich flora has remained preserved thanks to the maintenance of the flood zones which encourage its development (strong presence of the Prut river and construction of a dam at Costești in 1975). 730 species of local flora, which were already present in the 13th century, are represented. 31 species of rare plants grow on the site. The majority of the trees are pedunculate oaks, willows, black poplars... For the fruit trees, there are walnuts, currants, wild vines, tulips, snowdrops... It is near the village Moara Dumnească that the most important grouping of secular oaks is found, most of them are 200 to 250 years old, but the oldest is 450 years old and reaches more than 30 m high. The fauna includes 47 species of mammals, 15 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 159 species of birds. In the forest, the fauna is characterized by deer, wild boar, wild cats, foxes, otters, martens, turtles, egrets, swans... Bison were also introduced into the reserve in 2006. From this reserve you can see the long ribbon of the river Prut and on the opposite bank you can see Romania.

In Cobani, a tourist pension was created in 2014 and allows you to immerse yourself in the beauty of this reserve while respecting the environment. The places will please nature lovers.

From north to south, along the Prut, there are vast meadows and swamps. Prutul de Jos is in these floodplains around Slobozia Mare. Two thirds of this 1,690 ha reserve is covered by Lake Beleu, the largest natural lake in Moldova. Here the Prut flows into the Danube.

Lake Beleu with its 1,089 ha is part of a network of ponds forming a unique ecosystem from Cahul to Giurgiuleşti. The level of the lake depends on the variations of the Danube and the Prut. The lake formed 5,000-6,000 years ago from the Danube. It is 5 km long and 2 km wide, with a maximum depth of 2.50 m. The lake has a maximum length of 5 km and a width of 2 km. It almost disappeared in the 1990s, when it was almost dry and could be crossed by car. Torrential rains in September 1991 saved it. There are rare species of mammals (otters, wild cats, ermines, rodents) and many birds find refuge there. There are 155 species of birds, 139 of which have their nests there (cormorants, egrets, herons, gulls) as well as 33 rare species, 12 of which are threatened with extinction. There are also about 30 species of fish such as pikeperch, carp and bream. The flora consists of water lilies, tall grasses, numerous white lilies and reeds. Long threatened by poaching, reed harvesting and oil exploration activities in the region, the Prutul de Jos reserve was added in 2019 to the world list of biosphere reserves established by UNESCO.

The monastery of Căpriana is located in the Codrii forest region and is a symbol of Moldavian history and identity. It was founded in 1429, during the reign of Alexandru cel Bun (Alexander the Good) who placed it under the protection of his wife Princess Marina. Under Ștefan cel Mare, repair work was undertaken after the earthquake of 1471 and the wooden church of the Assumption of the Virgin was built from 1491 to 1496 (rebuilt in stone in 1545). Petru Rareș ordered the restoration of the monastery from 1542 to 1545 after the destruction committed by the Turkish invaders. It was preserved and fortified during the reign of Alexandru Lapușneanu (1552-1568) and then under Vasile Lupu. In 1698 the monastery was placed under the supervision of the Zograph Monastery of Mount Athos. It experienced a renaissance in the 19th century thanks to Metropolitan Gavril Bănulescu-Bodoni (1746-1821) who had the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin restored. The "winter" church of St. George was built in 1903 in a neo-Byzantine style, based on a chapel dating from 1840. In 1962, during the Soviet period, the cloister was transformed into a sanatorium for tubercular children, St. Nicholas' Church into a village club and St. George's Basilica into a storehouse. The monastery was returned to the monks in 1989 and its restoration began in 2003.

In the monastery you can see the largest religious library in Moldova and the relics of Metropolitan Gavril Bănulescu-Bodoni. The place is serene, with a small lake in front of the monastery.

The oldest scientific nature reserve in the country is located near the village of Lozova, 50 km from Chișinău. Named Codrii in the Codru region, it was recognized as a national park on 27 September 1971, on 5,009 ha. It is divided into three zones: a strictly protected zone, a buffer zone and an intermediate zone. Scientists are fascinated by the abundance of nature, in flora and fauna, some species of which are unfortunately close to extinction. Here you can admire the noble deer, the wild cat, the badger, the marten, the weasel. Among the protected birds are the great spotted eagle, the buzzard, the harrier and the bee-eater. Nearly 1,000 species of plants are listed, half of the flora specific to Moldova, with 43 species of mammals, 145 birds, 7 reptiles, 10 fish, and more than 8,000 species of forest trees, not counting insects. The sumptuous oaks and beeches are the masters of Codrii. This area plays an important role as a true sanctuary of biodiversity, with centuries-old forests of rare beauty. The perimeter of the reserve includes a representative grassland area and a nature museum. The museum lists the fauna and flora present in the reserve as well as detailed maps of the area (many stuffed animals: wolves, wild cats, deer...).

It is possible to sleep on site, some rooms are provided for this purpose.

Protected by the State since 1975, this nature reserve was officially created on 12 March 1992 to ensure the conservation of biodiversity and natural ecosystems. Its total area is 5,642 hectares, of which 4,639 hectares are occupied by forest (beech, oak, lime and hornbeam), but the landscape nevertheless offers great diversity with narrow ridges and deep valleys, steep slopes (consequences of landslides), water sources and small lakes.
Wildlife once included deer, bears, reindeer, martens, wolves and wild boar, but the expansion of arable land has greatly reduced the amount of woodland and thus the number of plants and animals. The uncontrolled hunting of bears has also contributed to the disappearance of deer, lynx and wolves. Today, 49 species of mammals (deer, wild boar, foxes, badgers, weasels, wild cats, martens, rodents, squirrels and bats) are registered. There are 140 species of birds (including 7 of green woodpeckers) that live in a favourable environment, 8 species of reptiles (marsh turtle, viper, hazel snake) and 12 species of amphibians. There are 909 species of local flora, including 151 species of mushrooms and 48 species of lichens. This reserve is a museum of nature, it reveals an enchanting landscape of great beauty. It contributes to the conservation and renewal of plant and animal species.

It would be a shame not to allow enough time to enjoy a nice hike around the monastery, along the banks of the Dniestret river to the waterfalls south of the village. This walk is almost inevitable to capture the spirit of the place and understand its legends, because nature here has a mystical side to it. The reserve covers 306 ha and includes cliffs along the river, a gorge 150-200 m deep, caves, waterfalls 10-16 m high, wooded areas and grasslands. The vegetation is rich and includes many oaks, hazelnut trees, cherry trees, rosehips, mulberry trees, vine-trees, hawthorn... The panorama from the top of the cliffs is beautiful. In winter, the terraces at the bottom of the gorges are covered with ice but the Dniestr continues to flow. In February, the rays of sunshine crossing the frozen waterfalls form magnificent rainbows. In summer, the place is enchanting, you can rest at the foot of the waterfalls, swim and contemplate beautiful sunrises.

In addition to the natural beauties of the site, there are a few cultural monuments and an ancient troglodyte monastery occupied from the 11th to the 17th century. On the site of an ancient Gothic fortress, archaeologists have found fragments of amphoras or ceramics and jewellery. Under a waterfall, a plaque was found and, according to legend, Orpheus was buried there.

The monastic complex is also a nature reserve, it would be a shame to miss this lovely walk. With more than 670 hectares, it is a protected natural site. Two small rivers make it up, Saharna with a length of 10 km and Stohnia with a length of 6 km. These rivers have formed several waterfalls, small lakes, but also canyons up to 175 m high. The largest waterfall falls 4 m high and is located at the last bend of the river to the east, in front of the ranger's house and the rock monastery. At this place, a 10 m abyss is called by the locals "the Gypsy's pit". Wren hermitages are visible and some are open. To access the basin of the miraculous spring, you will have to cross a suspended but safe footbridge. In any season, it is an enchanting landscape of eternal calm, so it is best to avoid busy periods to walk there.

In order to have a superb panorama of the site, you can take the path on the cliffs opposite the monastery. A cross is visible at the top and from this location the view is magnificent. If you are not afraid of heights, you can visit the small turret of the Grimidon in which some monks retreat to pray. If a bit of adventure tempts you, from the main path you can take a steep secondary path leading to caves and old quarries from which there is also a nice view of the area.

Everyone in the region knows the centuries-old oak tree of Stefan cel Mare, the voivode prince who symbolizes courage, strength and resistance against Turkish aggression. He is the representative of Moldavia, an example for everyone and is the father of the Moldavian nation to which many legends are attached. One of these legends is that during his reign, in the 15th century, Stefan cel Mare emerged victorious from a battle against the Tatars here in Cobîlea. He decided to have a wooden church built here in 1484 next to an old oak tree. At that time the tree was 200 years old and had already been mentioned in 1456. Today, at over 750 years old, it is considered to be one of the oldest trees in Europe. It is a true natural monument protected by the state since January 8, 1975. This monumental tree is 17 m high, the diameter of its crown is 31 m and the diameter of the trunk is 2.44 m.

The church was rebuilt in stone in 1822 but is nevertheless considered to be one of the oldest religious buildings in Moldova. It is a massive church with a simple longitudinal plan but elegant. The site is also completed by a bust of Stefan cel Mare and, not far away, a war memorial dedicated to the fallen soldiers of the Second World War. This small village is an important and very touching stopover, in homage to this national hero present on all Moldavian banknotes!

The Cobîlea Town Hall, located in the town of Chişinău in Moldavia, is a must for tourists seeking information about the region. Town hall staff are also on hand to answer any questions and help tourists plan their stay.

Part of the nature reserve at Pădurea Domnească is home to a poultry reserve with colonies of migratory birds, grey herons, black-crowned night herons and little egrets. The reserve extends over almost 1 ha and is made up of oak trees that shelter the birds' nests. The herons build their nests on the highest branches of the oaks, 20 m high. A very large number of birds concentrate on the site, from 500 to 1,000 birds are counted. The floodplain on the eastern bank of the Prut River provides a suitable environment for these birds to find shelter and food. The grey heron usually lives near various water sources: swamps, rivers and streams, lakes, sometimes even in urban areas. The water may be stagnant or salty, but the water must be shallow. It is noticeable by its greyish-white plumage and black feathered neck. Night herons feed at night (small fish, crustaceans, frogs, aquatic insects and small mammals). They have white bellies and grey or reddish wings. They build their nests on tree branches or on the ground in protected areas (islands or reeds). They lay three to eight eggs. The little egret is recognizable by its white plumage. It is a rather silent bird that emits a loud cry to warn its fellow birds in case of danger.

It is possible to hire the services of a guide from the inhabitants or from the Moldsilva administration of the Glodeni district.

The village of Manta is quite old and is already mentioned in a document of 1436. In the 19th century, the locality had about 60 vineyards. It is the birthplace of the dancer Ion Furnică as well as the popular music performers Ana and Larisa Arseni. The surrounding area is characterized by numerous ponds and lakes known to harbour white water lilies, a plant protected by the Moldovan authorities. Lake Manta is one of the largest in the country, but its depth is limited, generally 2 m, whereas it used to be 8 to 10 m deep. It was formed with the overflow of the Prut River. It is 7 km long and covers 21 km2. The lake, its islets and surrounding ponds are home to a rich flora and fauna. Among the bird species present, one can observe numerous cormorants, storks, egrets, pelicans, herons, cranes, swans... On the spot, one can also find coypu, lizards, foxes, wild cats, turtles, wild boars and deer. The white and yellow water lilies give the lake and the marshes a beautiful colourful note. People come here to walk in the open air, to observe nature and animals, to sail on the lake by boat and to fish.

The Manta Lake touches the Lunca Natural Park Joasă in Prutului Inferior, 3 km south of Manta. This natural park is located in Romania. Going down a little further south to Slobozia Mare, you can visit the nature reserve of Prutul de Jos with Lake Beleu, located in Moldova.

The Bendery Museum of Ethnography and History was founded in 1914 and its historical section opened in the early 1960s. The museum's collection includes 60,000 items related to botany, zoology, entomology, paleontology and ethnography. The museum is divided into thirteen thematic rooms dealing with the nature and environment of the city and the region, Bendery in the Middle Ages, the birth of the revolutionary movement, the "Romanian" occupation, the Second World War, the Soviet period and finally the contemporary period. One can see a bronze axe from the second millennium BC, ceramics of the Chernakov culture, a ghetto bowl from the 4th-2nd century BC, amphorae from the 4th century, Slav battle axes from the 9th and 10th centuries, a fragment of the marble plaque from the entrance to the Bendery fortress, weapons from the Russian-Turkish wars of the 18th and 19th centuries, and photographs of Bendery (TIghina) in the 19th and 20th centuries. One can also admire models and dioramas by Zykov and Dmitrienko on the Bendery fortress and its assault by the Russian army in 1770, the advance of the Red Army in 1944, the interior of a working room in 1960.

The natural science section presents a wide range of naturalized birds, forest animals from Hîrbovăț, fish from the Dniester, minerals, dioramas of the Dniester landscape, and discusses current environmental issues.

This reserve includes three gorges: Rudi, Arionești and Tătărăuca. The Rudi gorge is 5 km long and 250 m deep. You can find Văgăuna Lupilor (the ravine of the Wolves), Văgăuna Vânturilor (the ravine of the Winds), Stânca Balaurului (the Dragon's Rock), Harpa Eoliană (the Harp of the Wind), Peştera Răposaţilor (the Cave of the Dead). Near Rudi Monastery there is a citadel of Thracian origin (possibly the ancient city of Maetorium), a citadel ghetto and a medieval site called the Turk's Plate.

The Cave of the Dead: the entrance is an angular fissure 80 centimeters wide. It is a cave formed in Sarmatian limestone. It is located behind the village church, under the cemetery. Before entering the forest, take a path on the left that leads to the church. It is 1 kilometre long and consists of six rooms, 12.50 metres deep.

The Turk's Plate: this earthen fortress is ring-shaped. On a promontory, the inner courtyard of the fortress is 50 metres in diameter, surrounded by an earthen bastion 6 metres to the north and 4 metres to the south, with a moat 2 metres deep and 12-14 metres wide. Traces of it are still visible. According to archaeologists, these were two towns called "Turkish Plate" and "Germanariu", present between the 10th and 12th centuries. The fortress was built around the 10th century. The inhabitants lived in huts, practising agriculture, animal husbandry and handicrafts (pottery, blacksmith's work, bone objects, etc.)

Formed by the Prut River, the lake of Costești and its surroundings form a nature reserve stretching between Moldova and Romania. The lake is the second largest in Moldova, after the lake of Dubăsari, with an area of 59 km2. It flows up the Prut River to the village of Viișoara over a length of 70 km and can accumulate 1.285 billion cubic metres. Its maximum depth is 43 m. The dam built in the second half of the 1970s is 710 m wide. Its hydroelectric power plant has a capacity of 32,000 kWt. The Stânca Nature Reserve-Costești covers an area of 2,950 ha and 2,161 ha have the status of a special area for the protection of avifauna, which is home to 85 species of birds. The area includes wetlands, cereal growing areas and grasslands. They offer favourable nesting and feeding conditions for several migratory and sedentary bird species, some of which are protected at European level or are on the IUCN Red List. Among these bird species are herons, black-crowned night-herons, bald eagles, gulls, geese, ducks, egrets, storks... The reserve is also home to squirrels, wild boars, foxes and many other animals.

During the good times of the year, visitors can rest on the beaches of the lake, go boating, fishing... The places are perfect for beautiful walks.

The natural reserve of the Hundred Hills (Suta de movile) is located between the lake of Costești and Cobani. It is bordered to the west by Braniște, Răteni, Avrămeni and the Prut River which marks the border with Romania. The reserve covers 1,072 ha and is administered by the local authorities and an agricultural company. The environment is characterised by a covered steppe of 3 500 mounds of various sizes, ranging in height from 1.50 to 30 m (like the Gypsy hill), extending over a length of 8 km and a width of 2.3 to 1.7 km. The landscape is remarkable and undulating. It is part of the great chain of coral reefs extending to the north-west of the country. Scientists and geologists believe that these are ancient submarine reefs dating back 20 million years. For some, landslides also played a role. For a long time, many legends were linked to these hills. For some, they were burial mounds erected after battles. Dimitrie Cantemir mentioned this place in his book Discriptio Moldaviae from 1716. General Bauer indicated the place on his map of 1772.

The landscape is beautiful with its undulating steppe, small plains, plateaus, hills and terraces that invite to walk. The place is green with many oak and cherry trees. Herds of cows can be seen. At the top of some hills, you will have a beautiful panorama of the surroundings.

The locality was first mentioned in a document dated 13 March 1489 under the name of Târgul Sărății. Ștefan Vodă bought the land in 1489 and then ceded it to his servants Petru and Leova. A famous fair was held in this village for several centuries and was mentioned in a 1806 document by Constantin Moruzzi. The town developed a lot after the Second World War. The town hall is located in the west of the village, near the central market and not far from the river Prut. Nearby there are shops and the church of St. Parascève.

The "Prut reefs" or toltrels are concentrated in a small area covering the rivers Larga, Vilia, Lopatnic, Draghiste, Racovat, Ciuhur and Camenca, flowing into the Middle Prut area. Even though some of these reefs are very fragmented, the chain is joined together over a distance of about 200 km. Thus, the Prut toltrels are not located directly on the bank of the Prut but in the basin of the related rivers, a few kilometres from the left bank. These limestone reefs are formed from the remains of corals, shells, algae, animals and other sea creatures that are 10 to 20 million years old. These reefs have the same history as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, except that the Great Barrier Reef is almost entirely underwater with cliffs emerging from the ocean 2 to 5 m high, while these land-based reefs can be over 100 m high.

Reefs of Buteşti: Creeks at Camenca have carved out the narrow chain of picturesque looking reefs called reefs of Buteşti, surrounded on three sides by the river and its tributaries. The reefs are 2 km long, 125 m wide and 40 m high. They are pierced by caves and caverns, serving as a refuge for large animals during the Ice Age and for man in the Paleolithic period. They owe their composition to the corals and skeletons of marine animals (molluscs, crabs, sea urchins, and more rarely seals and dolphins in limestone rock).

The Glodeni town hall is located in the centre of the town, 200 m south of the central park and the hospital. The building is distinguished by its typical Soviet architecture. Information about the locality and possible public events can be found on site or on the website. There are few attractions in the town. Places of interest are two Orthodox churches in the south-west and south-east and a monument to the unknown hero in the south-east of the town. There are a few hotels and three coffee shops (Mojito, La Gratar and Butoiaș).

The town hall is located in the town centre, it is a red brick building whose main entrance is surmounted by a large domed belfry. The town hall and its website can provide you with information about Comrat and public events. However, it is advisable to visit the Gagauzia Tourist Information Center located in the same building. This office will be able to answer your questions about the region and its tourist attractions, restaurants, hotels or museums

A nature reserve between the villages of Cosăuți and Iorjniţa, near the monastery, it is the remnant of a huge forest that was called "the forest of Soroca". It extends over approximately 530 ha and is home to a very diverse fauna and flora. The forest was exploited in the past for the shipbuilding of the Russian fleet in the 19th century, the construction of bridges or fortifications. The development of agriculture has transformed forest areas into cultivated fields, leading to soil erosion and changes in the landscape.

The country's ^4th largest reserve abounds in water springs that continue to create a special microclimate, gigantic rocks emerging from the surface are witnesses to the transformations undergone by the earth's crust over the centuries. Caves exist, the best known of which is called "the cave". The river basin is home to a great diversity of animals, wild boar, deer, foxes, and rare species such as the rhinolophes, the Great Horned Owl, the Black Woodpecker, the Semi-Apollon butterflies, the diane and the European Lucan. The forests on the sloping banks of the river, planted mainly with oaks (including a 400 year old secular oak) and cherry trees, have a dense and rich flora, with a multitude of protected plants such as ferns and flowers, bird's nest neottie, pulsating anemone and the superb lily, to name but a few. Some wooded areas exist on the opposite bank in Ukraine.